The Metro Indianapolis Coalition for Construction Safety Inc. (MICCS) has launched www.miccs.org, a new website that is easy to use and contains safety-related information, updated news, videos, and other features. MICCS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating injuries on construction and facility-maintenance job sites. Its members include construction companies, project owners, design professionals and construction-affiliated organizations.

The International Code Council (ICC) has completely re-engineered its Website http://www.iccsafe.org/Pages/default.aspx, so users can find important information more quickly and easily. Standardized menus on the top and left side of the screen now help with navigation. Related Links: New Edition of Detailing for Steel Construction Now Available Alfred Benesch Chairman Kasi Writes Guide to Value Engineering "Unseen Architecture" Exhibit at Milwaukee's Eisner-American Museum In addition, the site now offers organized content to help users find what they’re looking for in fewer clicks. A single sign-on lets users log into the site with only one set of credentials. “My ICC” lets

Emerson Network Power has opened its new 70,000-sq-ft learning center in Westerville, Ohio. Photo courtesy of Emerson Network Power Emerson Network Power�s new learning center in Westerville, Ohio, will train more than 1,000 students per year how to support data-center infrastructure. Related Links: Wis. Div. of State Facilities Will Require Construction-Waste Recycling in 2010 Plug-in Chargers for Electric Vehicles Installed at Chicago�s Aqua Building Ragnar Benson and William Charles Collaborate on Two Healthcare Projects Purdue University, Dow AgroSciences and Indiana Partner for Venture at Purdue Research Park Holland Construction Completes Addition Two Weeks Early Wrightwood Crossing Project Under Way; LEED

People who are challenged by green-movement terms or who need a high-quality compilation of them can find help at the Metal Construction Association’s (MCA) Web site, www.metalconstruction.org. The compilation can be found in the site’s Sustainable Design section. MCA is an organization of manufacturers and suppliers whose metal products are used in structures throughout the world.

The Commission on Chicago Landmarks has awarded The Palmer House Hilton a 2009 Chicago Landmark Award for Preservation Excellence for the exterior and interior restoration of its 85-year-old building. Built in the 1920s, the Palmer House is the third hotel to carry the name of real estate magnate and hotelier Potter Palmer. It is an excellent example of early 20th century classic French revival architecture. In 2005, Thor Equities, LLC of New York City selected Chicago architect Loebl Schlossman & Hackl to create a memorable design that would revitalize the structure’s landmark status and expand the retail opportunities of the

The Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) has named pioneer Construction, Grand Rapids, Mich., a Certified Green Contractor. Pioneer is the first contractor in the Midwest, and just the ninth in the U.S., to receive the certification. The ABC Green Contractor certification program documents the construction community’s efforts to develop a sustainable workplace environment—both on and off the job site—while also recognizing ABC-member firms that are green-industry leaders. To earn the certification, Pioneer was evaluated by ABC and an independent on-site assessor. Each certified company must complete 13 prerequisites ranging from electronic distribution of documents to establishing an aggressive recycling program.

The garage at the lower level of the 82-story mixed-use Aqua building in Chicago now features the Midwest’s first electric vehicle charging station open to the public. Photo courtesy of Magellan Development Six of these new electric-vehicle charging units are now in the garage of Chicago's Aqua building. Each unit can charge four vehicles at once. The station at Aqua is the first public site in the Midwest. Photo courtesy of Magellan Development Magellan Development Group co-CEOs James Loewenberg (left) and Joel Carlins (center) join Chicago Mayor Richard Daley during introduction of the new electric-vehicle charging station at the Aqua.

A new development project in the life sciences arena was announced Sept. 30 as part of a new agricultural collaboration among Dow AgroSciences, Purdue Research Foundation, Purdue University and the state of Indiana. Related Links: Wis. Div. of State Facilities Will Require Construction-Waste Recycling in 2010 Plug-in Chargers for Electric Vehicles Installed at Chicago�s Aqua Building Ragnar Benson and William Charles Collaborate on Two Healthcare Projects Emerson Network Power Opens LEED-Certified Learning Center Holland Construction Completes Addition Two Weeks Early Wrightwood Crossing Project Under Way; LEED Platinum Certification Planned Kaiser Electric Wires Casino Queen's New Sports Bar Walton Construction Completes

Kaiser Electric, Fenton, Mo., and Granite City, Ill., recently completed electrical installation for the audio-visual, lighting and sound system in the Casino Queen’s new $2.15-million sports bar and entertainment venue “Sevens.” Photo courtesy of Kaiser Electric �Sevens� is the new $2.15-million sports bar and entertainment venue at the Casino Queen in East St. Louis, Ill. Kaiser Electric recently completed wiring for the club�s extensive array of lighting, stage, audiovisual, and bar equipment. Related Links: Wis. Div. of State Facilities Will Require Construction-Waste Recycling in 2010 Plug-in Chargers for Electric Vehicles Installed at Chicago�s Aqua Building Ragnar Benson and William Charles

The owner of a new four-story 19-unit development going up in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood plans to seek LEED Platinum certification–the highest level offered by the U.S. Green Building Council’s green-building rating system–when the project is completed next spring. Rendering courtesy of [1016] Architecture The 19-unit Wrightwood Crossing in Chicago�s Lincoln Park neighborhood will be submitted for LEED Platinum certification when completed in spring of 2010. Related Links: Wis. Div. of State Facilities Will Require Construction-Waste Recycling in 2010 Plug-in Chargers for Electric Vehicles Installed at Chicago�s Aqua Building Ragnar Benson and William Charles Collaborate on Two Healthcare Projects Purdue